The internet is willing to run back to Westeros. But HBO is strolling, slowly. Following recent reports that several new ‘Game of Thrones’ spin-offs were proceeding, HBO executives have intervened to manage expectations.
Now, it is evident that the franchise is not about to become a massive, Marvel-like content machine. Rather, HBO seems to be willing to defend what ‘Game of Thrones’ still possesses: weight, patience, and consequence.
HBO Is Protecting Westeros From Oversaturation
‘Game of Thrones’ has only two spinoffs that have been brought to the screen since the series concluded seven years ago: ‘House of the Dragon‘ and now ‘A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms’. That record in itself speaks volumes. Although The Hollywood Reporter has just announced that HBO is considering a possible sequel series and a huge prequel, HBO CEO Casey Bloys clarified that development is not the same as production.
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“Sometimes, because of the intense interest in development, I think people get confused and believe that development means something is actually in production,” he told Deadline. Bloys claims that the studio is cautious. Authors are hired, ideas are discussed, and several creative directions are experimented with. However, only a few of them ever go beyond that point.
Some of the speculated concepts include a sequel on Arya Stark, post-Game of Thrones, with Shogun author Quoc Dang Tran attached, and the long-discussed ‘Aegon’s Conquest’, a Targaryen invasion of Westeros. However, for now, these projects exist only on paper. “This is not Marvel,” Bloys stressed, rejecting the idea of multiple Thrones series rolling out year after year. HBO wants the right show, not the most shows.
HBO’s Slow-Burn Strategy Is Definitely Working
HBO’s restraint comes from experience. Some ‘Game of Thrones’ projects were quietly canceled due to not living up to expectations. The Jon Snow sequel with Kit Harington was creatively developed and then put on hold altogether.
Another high-profile prequel, ‘Bloodmoon’, even shot a pilot with a star cast. However, it was also canceled before it aired.
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Those were not inexpensive decisions; they strengthened HBO’s philosophy that it is better to lose than to water down the brand. That strategy appears to be paying off. ‘A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms‘ is already a success and has been renewed for season 2 early. Whereas ‘House of the Dragon’ season 3 is one of the most anticipated returns on HBO.
The two shows have mostly regained viewer confidence even after the controversial ‘Game of Thrones’ finale. Westeros isn’t going anywhere. HBO just isn’t in a hurry to flood it with dragons.
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